Dipping into the Finger Lakes
Summer has arrived, and with that comes the much-anticipated weekend getaway, impromptu escape from the city, or if you’re type "A" - a meticulously planned expedition to some far-off place.
No matter which camp you fall into, the Finger Lakes offers an enticing array of activities for culture lovers and outdoor adventurers alike.
With Lake Ontario as its northern border, the Finger Lakes contains 11 lakes, each with its own identity and personality.
Seneca Lake, the largest of the bunch, is dotted with wineries and has frozen over only nine times since such recordkeeping began.
Natural Beauty
Honeoye Lake, the shallowest of the bunch, is perfect for water sports and a day at the beach. Hop aboard the Canandaigua Lady, a 19th century replica of a double-decked paddlewheel boat operating and enjoy the view from the water.
There is just as much to appreciate on land. Cumming Nature Center, a 900-acre nature preserve, is filled with hiking trails through woods and wetlands. For an even more zen-like experience, Quiet Meadows in Canandaigua offers a labyrinth of outdoor paths for respite and renewal. The labyrinth is based on that of the Cathedral at Chartres in France and is a welcoming destination for peaceful meditation.
Wine Not?
Finger Lakes Wine Country has not one, but four distinct wine trails, each offering a unique take on the terroir of the region.
Curtain Up
The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival, an inaugural season of more than 250 performances ranging from musical theatre classics to a rotating roster of new works, is reason alone to head to the 9,000-square-mile region of New York State. Here’s just a taste of what the Finger Lakes has to offer.
The Festival, produced by Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Auburn, New York, runs all summer long and has been in the making since its original inception in 2007. Collaborative efforts from government partners, local business and philanthropic organizations and donors have been led by the Festival’s Producing Artistic Director Ed Sayles.
Nestled in a town of 30,000 people, The Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival is poised to further reinforce the region as a cultural destination. "I didn’t expect it to blossom so quickly," admits Sayles, "All the things I told the funders actually happened! We raised $3 million in three years. We shared this idea with the community and the response has been immense."
The Festival’s summer schedule offers a range of Broadway favorites from "My Fair Lady" and "Cabaret" to a new work series called "The Pitch," where audiences will be the first to hear and see shows in development and also have the opportunity to offer feedback as part of the creative process. Interesting titles on the docket include "Star Child", based on the short stories of Oscar Wilde (July 5-7) and "Joni Loves Mitchell," a singer/songwriter love story (August 16-18).
It is expected that once the Festival reaches full capacity, in will attract upwards of 150,000 visitors and generate $30 million for the region’s economy.
